(Yicai Global) Aug. 27 -- China is gradually developing geothermal energy, and the country's industrial system has taken initial shape, a new study shows. Installed capacity of China's geothermal heat pumps reached 20,000 megawatts by the end of last year to rank first in the world.

In addition to its primary uses in heating and aquaculture, a lesser portion also goes to generate power, with the nation's power capacity by the end of last year of 27.28 MW ranking it 18th in the world, according to the country's first research report on geothermal energy development issued by the National Energy Administration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and other agencies on Aug. 25.

Problems of insufficient and uncoordinated development still exist in China's geothermal energy industry, however, the report also noted.

National geothermal resource statistics are inaccurate, and a clear gap exists here compared with developed countries. Only 1,230 measured geothermal data are currently available in China, whereas that figure is 17,000 for the US.